Tag: Semi-Final

the build up for Eurovision has really begun this week as we are about 100 days from the start of Eurovision Song Contest 2017 in Kyiv, Ukraine. Yesterday the Logo and slogan for the 62nd Eurovision Song Contest were announced and this morning the semi-final allocation draw took place.

43 countries will take part in this years contest which sees Portugal and Romania returning to the contest, while Bosnia & Herzegovina withdraws due to financial issues at its national broadcaster.

Australia return for their 3rd appearance at the Song Contest which will take place at the International Exhibition Centre in Kyiv on the 9th, 11th and 13th of May.

Logo

The logo and slogan this year are for the theme “Celebrate Diversity” and this is something close to the heart for many Eurovision fans. The logo is based on a Namysto, a Ukrainian bead necklace which was used as a protective amulet and symbol of also builds on last years theme of “Come Together”

Executive Supervisor of the Eurovision Song Contest, Jon Ola Sand said: “The notion of celebrating diversity builds on last year’s theme of ‘Come Together’ and is at the heart of Eurovision values: it is all-inclusive and all about countries around Europe, and beyond, joining together to celebrate both our common ground and our unique differences, as well as some great music”.

He continued: “Incorporating this beautiful and meaningful logo based on a traditional amulet gives not only a sense of history and heritage but also a modern look and feel. As the production grows from these themes, we are very much looking forward to seeing what is sure to be a fantastic event in May.”

Semi-Final Draw

This morning the draw took place for the Semi-Finals. Countries were drawn for which half they would be in, as the running order will be decided by the production staff. 18 Countries will compete in Semi-Final One, while 19 will compete in Semi-Final Two. 10 countries will advance to the Grand Final on May 13th where six countries are pre-qualified. They are the host’s Ukraine and the Big Five countries, France, Italy, Germany, Spain and the United Kingdom.

Semi-Final 1 May 9th

Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom will vote in this semi-final

1st Half:

Albania

Australia

Azerbaijan

Belgium

Finland

Georgia

Montenegro

Portugal

Sweden

2nd Half:

Armenia

Cyprus

Czech Republic

Greece

Iceland

Latvia

Moldova

Slovenia

Poland

Semi Final 2

France, Germany and the Ukraine will vote in this Semi-Final

1st Half:

Austria

Denmark

Hungary

Ireland

Macedonia

Malta

Netherlands

Romania

Russia

Serbia

2nd Half

Belarus

Bulgaria

Croatia

Estonia

Israel

Lithuania

Norway

San Marino

Switzerland

I’m looking forward to this years contest! Look out for more posts on the contest as we get closer to May!

Ireland has been drawn to take part in the first Semi Final in this years Eurovison Song Contest. This is the first time that the ESC will have two semi-finals due to the volume fo entries. A record 43 countries will be taking part in this years event.

The following countries will be represented in the first Semi-Final, on Tuesday, 20th of May: Montenegro, Finland, Greece, Ireland, Israel, Poland, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Estonia, the Netherlands, Romania, Moldova, San Marino, Slovenia, Norway, Belgium, Andorra, Armenia, Azerbaijan and Russia

The draw for the actual running order will take place on the 17th of March, during the annual Heads of Delegation meeting, in Belgrade, Serbia.

It was also determined by draw that Germany and Spain will be obliged to broadcast the first Semi-Final live and to vote. France and the United Kingdom will be broadcasting the second Semi-Final, as well as take part in the voting. Host country Serbia will broadcast both Semi-Finals, and has been drawn to vote in the second Semi-Final.

This year I will actually be able to vote for Ireland (but not Germany!) this will be a strange expeirence! If Dustin is representing Ireland he will have my vote!

Well its nearly time wooo! The 52nd Eurovision Song Contest will be broadcast from the Hartswall Areena, Helsinki, Finland and will be shown on RTÉ 2 and BBC Three at 8.00pm. This is the largest contest ever, so this will be a long post on the Semi-Finalist. The countries are listed in running order.

Bulgaria this year is being represented by Elitsa TODOROVA and Stoyan YANKOULOV with a song called ‘Water’. Its is a very rhythmic song with haunting singing. Its fast paced so should go down well. Just not my cup of tea.Israel (Song on youtube)

Israel is being represented by a group called Teapacks with a song called ‘Push the Button’. A very strong about terrorist’s (Israel knows all about this). Its in English and French. I don’t like it. Its not very often I like the Israeli song neway…

Belarus is being represented this year by Koldun (HOT!) with a song called ‘Work Your Magic’. One of the best entries from the Belorussians in recent years. Its a nice song, along the lines of the Rasmus et al. I really like it and may have to do a post on Dmitry Koldun over on my other blog . lol

Iceland is represented this year by Eiríkur HAUKSSON with ‘Valentine Lost’. Slow rock song, cant see it getting out of the semi’s. Its a pity cause I’ve really enjoyed past Icelandic entries especially last years!

The first débutante in this years contest is Georgia represented by Sopho with ‘Visionary Dream’. Its a very good song. Real melting pot of new and old, and east meets west. Could do very well. Sopho, is a very excellent sing also.

Another débutante, but only by default! Montenegro normally takes part as part of Serbia and Montenegro. This year, since they are now independent, they are represented by Stevan Faddy with ‘Ajde Kroci’. Tis a realy good song, which i enjoy.

One of this year favourites and mine too! Switzerland is represented this year by DJ Bobo with ‘Vampires are Alive’. Love this song, and is proving very popular! Should do well during and after the contest!

Now the Netherlands is represented by Edsilia Rombley with ‘On Top of the World’. Now the dutch have learned a bit, their song starts out like a ballad but speeds up, thank god, a nice song, but i dont think it will do well enough to get out of the semi’s.

Serbia, like Montenegro, is taking part on its own this year. They are represented by Marija Serifovic with ‘Molitva’. A ballad, in the traditional sense, cant see it getting out of the semi’s but it will get the neighbourly votes…Czech Republic (Youtube)

Another débutante, the Czech Republic is represented by Kabát with ‘Malá dáma’. Its very much in the Lordi vein of Eurovision! Good rock song!

the FYR this year is represented by Karolina Goceva with ‘Mojot Svet’. An excellent song, with the easy bit to sing along with! “Najna najna, nanana najna” 😀Norway (Youtube)

Another one of my favourites from this year. Norway is represented by Guri Schanke with ‘Ven A Bailar’. An excellent song, have being listening to it alot. SO has grown on me hugely. hopefully Norway will not get nil points again this year….

This year Malta is represented by Olivia Lewis with ‘Vertigo’ (not the U2 song obv!). Not an excellent song, but should do respectfully enough cant see it getting out of the semi’s, considering competition is really though this year!

Now the Andorrans really have payed attention to whats popular at the moment musically. They are respresented by Anonymous with ‘Salvem el món (Let’s save the world)’. Real punk rock (my fav) and I hope does well for the Principality!!!

The Belgians are being represented this year by KMG’s with ‘Love Power’. Now this is a real Danascene song (Cork regulars to freakscene will get that reference). It has a real retro feel to it, and i like….

Last but not least we have Latvia, represented by Bonaparti.lv with ‘Questa Notte’. Opera comes to Eurovision! It is a Latvian version of Il Divo, its a nice song, but will it do well? It a bit of gamble

My hopes. The ten songs I hope get through areAustriaSwitzerlandAndorraTurkeyNorwayBelgiumEstoniaDenmarkMontenegroPortugal

Enjoy the show tonight. Feel free to leave your predictions as comments or disagree with me on anything!